Lincoln Memorial Vandalized with Green Paint

U.S. Park Police in Washington, D.C., have temporarily closed off the Lincoln Memorial after finding the monument splattered with light-green paint at about 1:30 A.M. EST on Friday. Officials are reviewing video from surveillance cameras. U.S. Park Police Captain Steven Booker said the spill appeared "intentional based off of the splatter." Maintenance crews began cleaning the marble with pressure washers, and the chamber is expected to reopen to the public later this afternoon. A historic preservation team also helped with the cleanup and determined there was no permanent damage to the site.

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Scott Arndt who normally takes his morning runs by the monument said, "It's not just defacing the Lincoln Memorial, but it's something against all of America." A National Mall and Memorial Parks division spokeswoman, Carol Bradley Johnson, called the incident "heartbreaking," and several people shared similar opinions via social media. One Facebook user used hashtags to express his view, stating, "Defacing the ‪#‎LincolnMemorial is proof that nothing is sacred anymore. ‪#‎shameful." On Twitter, user @Gena_Rinckey said, "To the punks who vandalized the Lincoln Memorial: I hope you're caught and your mugs are plastered over every media outlet out there," while user @ninadym88 said, "Seriously, why would someone vandalize the Lincoln Memorial? Have some #respect for this country! Shame on you!"

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This incident is the first act of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial that authorities can recall, and they reassured the public that damage to historic monuments rarely happens. The memorial, which is usually open to visitors 24 hours a day, was dedicated to the country's 16th president in 1922 and is now one of the most popular sites on the National Mall.

What do you think of the vandalism on the Lincoln Memorial? Share your thoughts in the comments below.